South Africa - International Franchise Association

Value-added Tax (VAT) is levied at 14 percent. Travelers may apply for tax refunds on
purchases made in South Africa over $37 (R265) on departure.
Visa Requirements Return to top
U.S. citizens traveling to South Africa require a valid passport. A visa is not required for
regular passport holders on bona fide holiday or business visits for periods of up to 90
days or in transit.
However should a U.S. citizen wish to visit neighboring countries, a visa may be required
for that particular country. For South Africa, visas are also required for extended stays,
employment, study, and for diplomatic and official passport holders.
Evidence of a yellow fever vaccination is necessary if arriving from an infected area.
Information on South African visa requirements can be obtained prior to departure from
the United States by checking with the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.
http://www.saembassy.org or the South African Consulates in New York, Chicago, and
Beverly Hills. For information on visa requirements for other countries, contact the
Embassy of the country you intend to visit, or a travel agent, or a U.S. Consular Officer.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All travelers to South Africa should make sure that their passports
contain at least two completely blank pages for stamps; otherwise they will be turned
away and refused entry by South African immigration officials. As a general precaution,
travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of the photo/bio information page of their
passport and keep it in a location separate from the passport.
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspeople to the United States should
be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa
applicants should go to the following links:
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
Telecommunications Return to top
The South African telecommunications sector boasts one of the continent’s most
advanced telecommunications markets in terms of technologies deployed and services
provided. The national fixed line operator is Telkom; the Second National Operator
(SNO) is Neotel.
Cellular services are provided by four licensed cellular operators: Vodacom, MTN
(Mobile Telephone Networks) Cell C and 8ta (Telkom’s mobile operator launched in
2010). All four mobile operators offer voice and data solutions to subscribers.
Transportation Return to top
South Africa boasts one of the most modern and extensive transport infrastructures on
the African continent in terms of road, railway systems, airports and seaports.